Mechanisms for feeding disk-type capacitors and like articles



Dec. 8, 1959 A. E. NEWTON 2,916,165

MECHANISMS FOR FEEDING DISK-TYPE CAPACITORS AND LIKE ARTICLES Filed Feb.25. 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Dec. 8, 1959 Filed Feb. 25, 1957 A;E. NEWTON 2,916,165 MECHANISMS FOR FEEDING DISK-TYPE CAPACITORS AND LIKEARTICLES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 In men tar j/barf E. Ne W/on By hisimy Dec. 8,1959 A; E. NEWTON 2,916,165

MECHANISMS FOR FEEDING DISK-TYPE CAPACITORS AND LIKE ARTICLES Filed Feb.25, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 JZig. 4 I 22 0 zzt l 'W L. J

Inventor fiber-z Z New/on .B is y Dec. 8, 1959 A; E. NEWTON MECHANISMSFOR FEEDING DISK-TYPE CAPACITORS AND LIKE ARTICLES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed Feb. 25. 1957 United States Patent MECHANISMS FOR FEEDINGDISK-TYPE CAPAQI- TORS AND LIKE ARTICLES Albert E. Newton, Beverly,Mass, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N.J., acorporation of New Jersey Application February 25, 1957, Serial No.642,281

5 Claims. (Cl. 214-8) This invention relates to mechanism for feedingand orienting articles, and more especially to the provision of improvedmeans for feeding and controlling round articles, such as certainelectrical components which must be uniformly positioned in orderthereafter to be dealt with in a precise and proper manner. Theinvention is herein illustrated as embodied in hopper mechanism forhandling disk-type capacitors and thus, in one aspect, concerns theprovision of improvements in feed mechanism of the type disclosed in acopending application Serial No. 525,330, filed July 29, 1955, in thename of Milton H. Roske (now Patent No. 2,855,113, granted October 7,1958). It is to be noted, however, that the present invention is notlimited in use to any particular type or shape of work piece and,indeed, in some aspects the invention is not necessarily restricted tofeeding means ofthe illustrative type.

Assembling, packaging, and other types of machines for processingarticles frequently require them to be successively isolated from arandom mass and then individually fed antl/ or positioned in apredetermined manner. This treatment often involves nice mechanicalconsiderations, especially if the articles being fed are of irregularconfiguration. The above-mentioned application discloses, for example, afeeding mechanism comprising the combination of a rotary plate formed tosegregate disk-type capacitors and successively position them in thecourse of its rotation, and means for transferring the positionedcapacitors for uniform stacking in a receptacle. Although this feedingmechanism is highly useful in facilitating an adequate supply andorderly arrangement of the work pieces and has proved itself ofconsiderable value when used in conjunction with inserting machinery,the feeding performance is in some respects not entirely satisfactoryand certain of its limitations in feeding disk capacitors, for instance,may be mentioned. Upon being segregated by the specially formedcapacitor positioning plate, each successive component is transferred bythe respective pick-off nozzles of a wheel to be deposited in the mouthof a tube or delivery chute. A guide rod extending longitudinally in thechute is provided to be straddled by the pairs of radially extendingleads of the components and thus maintains their stack formation andguides them for delivery. Aside from the fact that the bodies of thecomponents are usually lacking in exact uniformity of contour, thusfrequently preventing precisely similar positioning at the point ofpick-off, it often happens that the leads of the components are neitherparallel, straight, or radial, but are irregularly bent and thus, when acomponent has been placed in the chute and on the guide rod, its leadsmay not be well alined with other leads in the stack even though itsbody is so alined with other bodies. Moreover, although the formationand operation of the rotary segregating plate may be such asuniformly toposition work pieces at the pick-off point, it is frequently found thatthe pick-off wheel or other presQQllY known transfer devices cannotremove the l atentecl Dec. 8, 1959 work pieces and deliver them into areceptacle with exactly the desired degree of change in theirorientation which may be needed thereafter to feed them by gravity to apoint of utilization. Lastly, continued operation of the pick-off wheel,when the chute is fully loaded with components, is undesirable from thestandpoint of efliciency and also perhaps because unnecessary tumblingof the work pieces may be detrimental to their condition.

In the light of the foregoing, a particular object of the presentinvention is to provide certain improvements and added versatility inthe Roske feeding mechanism whereby it is made more efficient anddelivers work pieces in more nearly uniform position and condition.Considered more generally, it is a primary object of this invention toprovide improved means for delivering regularly and/or irregularlyshaped articles from a random mass into an orderly oriented stack.

With these objects in view, one feature of the invention resides in theprovision of novel feeding mechanism having, in combination with arotary plate formed to position successive components from a mass and areceptacle for receiving these components in uniform formation, transfermeans mounted for cooperation with the plate, the transfer means beingconstructed and arranged to remove the successive components from theirposition determined by the plate and turn them a selected number ofdegrees for deposit in substantial al'inement on a guide rail in thereceptacle. As herein disclosed, this transfer means consists of arotary Wheel having circumferentially spaced suction nozzles disposed topick off the components positioned by the plate, and cam meanscooperative with the respective nozzles is arranged to turn them thedesired amount in one direction during transfer of the components, thenozzles being restored to pick off position after being relieved oftheir Work pieces. Preferably, the component turning effected duringtransfer is sufficient to insure that the median plane between the leadsof a component will substantially coincide after rotation with a medianplane extending through the guide rail.

Another feature of the invention, one by no means limited to theillustrative embodiment or even to component feeding mechanismgenerally, is the provision of novel means for insuring that the pairsof leads of a plurality of components being fed will be spread apart bya minimum spacing, said means comprising a receptacle formed with apassageway confining the bodies of the components in stacked formation,a guide extending longitudinally in said passageway between the leads ofeach pair and adapted to engage corresponding ones of said leads to holdthem and their bodies against rotation in one direction about an axis,and a member movably mounted in said guide for engagement with thecorresponding other ones of said leads to cam them in said one directionand away from the first-mentioned leads. As herein shown, the leadspreading member is arranged to be mechanically oscillated and itsperiphery is relieved to provide a non-lead engaging surface such thatlittle or no interference with progressive feeding is experienced.

The above and other features of the invention,,includ-. ing means forautomatically stopping operation of the transfer means upon loading ofthe receptacle, and other novel details of construction, will now bemore fully described in connection with an illustrative embodiment andwith reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, in which Fig. 1 isa perspective view of the improved feeding means as adapted for dealingwith disk-type capacitors, control means being diagrammaticallyindicated;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view, with portions broken away, of a rotarysegregating plate, a transfer Wheel and chute A a largely shown in Fig.1 and looking in a direction normal to the plate;

Fig. 3 is a view, partly in section, of parts shown in Figs. land 2, asseen when looking at the transfer wheel in a direction normal to theoperating plane of the plate;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line IVIV of Fig. 2 and illustratingthe successive positions of a disk capacitor and means for turning itwith its carrying nozzle;

-' Fig. 5 is a view largely in vertical section of the chute shown inFig. 1, as seen when looking in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 6,and showing means by which a minimal spread of leads is insured;

; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 5, and indicatingintroduction of a component into the chute andonto its guide rod;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged section taken on the line VIIVII of'Fig; 5, andshowing the load spreading means in inoperative position; and

-- Fig. 8 is a further enlarged view corresponding to Fig. 7, butshowing the lead spreading means in operative position.

Since the illustrative feeding means is intended to deal with disk-typecapacitors C having leads L, it will be noted that a rotary segregatingplate 10 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) has a circular configuration especiallyadapted therefor and substantially like that shown in the Roskeapplication referred to above. It will be appreciated that segregatingand positioning means of other configuration may be employed for discapsand other work pieces without departing from the scope of thisinvention. The plate 10 is inclined and constitutes the bottom of atleast the portion of a hopper 12 in which the discaps to be successivelyfed in orderly arrangement are maintained in random fashion. As theplate 10 is rotated clockwise about its center, as seen in Fig. 1, bymeans of a driven cross shaft 14 and a helical gear 16 fixed thereon,arcuate edges of successive work receiving recesses 18 formed in theplate usually lift one or more discaps C, each one of these retained inits recesses being slidably and revolvably supported until it ispositioned substantially as shown in the upper right portion of Fig. 1.Means including ejector pins 20, 20 are automatically actuated to returnimproperly positioned components to the hopper 12, each correctlypositioned component being allowed to proceed to a pick off pointdepicted in Figs. 2 and 3, which is located preferably on or near alevel with the center of the plate 10 and substantially in tangentialrelation to the path of four work holders preferably in the form of rubber pick off nozzles 22 mounted on and extending radially from a pickofi wheel generally designated 24.

For driving the wheel 24 clockwise, as Viewed in Fig. 1, and in propertime relation with the plate 10, i.e., so that successive nozzles 22 maytransfer from the pick oif point the components successively arriving intheir respective recesses 18, the cross shaft 14 drives a gear 26 (Fig.I) mounted thereon. .The latter is in mesh with an intermediate gear28that has hearings in a bracket 30 supported by the hopper 12, the gear28 in return driving a pinion gear 32. The wheel 24 is mounted on anaxially bored hub 34 that is fixedly supported in the bracket 30 andsupports the gear 32. A rotor 38 on the hub is driven by the gear 32 andformed at one end with four equally spaced radial bores 40 (one shown inFig. 3) each of which is threaded rotatably to receive an adaptor 42carrying one of the nozzles 22. To enable each successive nozzle to pickup a capacitor as properly positioned in its recess at the pick ofi?point, one end of the bore of the hub 34 is in communication with asource of reduced pressure by means of a tube 44 (Fig. 1), and the otherend of the bore connects with a radial aperture 46 (Fig. 3) in the hub..This aperture is of a size and position to enable each bore'40, whiletraversing the aperture, to cause the positioned component body to betransferred from its recess and pressurally held against the outer endof the nozzle 22 until the latter is over the mouth of a vertical chutegenerally designated 48, suction through the bore 40 then beingeffectively terminated to release the component for a fall into thechute. As thus far described, the structure is largely as disclosed inthe ap plication above cited.

In order better to insure that each component positioned by the plate 10can thereafter be received on and properly oriented by a guide rail 50(Figs. 2, 3) into selected position in stack formation in the chute 48,means is provided for turning each adaptor 42, together with its nozzle,about their axis in the course of transfer of the component. For thispurpose, the normal or pick off position of each adapter is determinedby a pin 52 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) fixed therein that is yieldingly held inengagement with an adjustable stop arm 54 projecting from the rotor 38,said pin being acted on by means of a spring 56"(Fig. 1). The latter isanchored at one end to a pin 58 extending radially from the rotor and atits other end to the adaptor pin 52. A radially depending portion of thehub 34 serves as a fixed cam 60 (Figs. 2 to 4) arranged to be engaged byan angular finger 62 projecting from each adaptor. Accordingly, as acomponent is being transferred to the chute, the component, togetherwith its carrying nozzle and adaptor, are caused to be rotated thedesired number of degrees and against the resistance of the spring 56 asthe finger 62 engages and moves over the surface of the cam 60,successive stages in the orienting action being shown in Fig. 4. Theshape of the operating surface of the cam 60 is such as to cause theleads L of a component being transferred to be turned adequately toinsure their straddling the upper end of the rail 50, as shown in Fig.2. Ideally this means that the median plane extending between straightleads of a typical component being fed will be shifted to coincide with,or substantially coincide with, the apex of the tapered end of the rail50. By way of distinguishing further over the prior construction, it isto be noted that the upper portion of the guide rail 50 extendshelically, its upper end being disposed in the path of the componentbodies for contact therewith. The rail 50 thus serves as a wipe-off orpositive releasing tool for correcting any non-uniformity in the pointof terminating suction on the components.

As herein shown, a portion 64 (Figs. 1 and 5), integral with the hopper12, supports, for adjustment about a vertical axis, a cylindricaltubular member 66 having a spirally formed inner surface from which thehelical rail 50 internally projects, the member 66 having afunnel-shaped passageway 68 (Figs. 5 and 6) for the nozzles which isarranged to guide the leads onto the rail. For control purposes laterdescribed, the member 66 also serves to support a photo-electric cell 70(Fig. 1) and a light source 72, and is accordingly formed with alinedslits 74 which allow a light beam to pass between the cell and themember when no component is stored between the slits. Secured to theportion 64 is a block 76 for mounting a lower tubular portion 78 of thechute 48. A vertical rail 30 (Figs. 1, 5, 7 and 8) of rectangularsection is adjustably secured by a block 82 mounted on the block 76 sothat the rail extends longitudinally of a heightwise slot in theportions 78 and 64, and is a continuation of the helical rail 59. Aftera component is delivered by the nozzle 22 to the rail 50 so that thelatter is straddled by the pair of leads, the component falls inhorizontal position, preferably not more than about an inch, onto analined stack of previously fed components in the tubular portion 78, theleads moving into engagement with, or nearly into engagement with, theoppositely disposed vertical sides of the rail 80. In order to insurethat the leads of the components in the stack will have a minimumspread, for example to improve their conformity with the spacing oflead-receiving holes preformed in a printed wiring board, and also toavoiding binding or cramping of the leads on the rail, a spreader 83(Figs. 1, 5, 7 and 8), preferably in the form of an oscillatory cam, isprovided.

Operation of the spreader constitutes, in effect, a dynamic means bywhich the width of a portion of the rail is apparently modified one ormore times as the leads pass thereby. The spreader shown has a conicaltop and is largely recessed in a cylindrical bearing bored in thisinstance in the upper end of the guide rail 80. The leadengaging surfaceof a spreader need not be cylindrical but may be otherwise shaped anddisposed to engage either one or both of the leads of a component. Inits inoperative position (Fig. 7) a slabbed-oif side 84 of the spreaderis substantially level with a side of the rail 80, but when oscillatedabout a vertical axis by means to be explained, the lead-engagingsurface of the spreader projects from one side of the rail in the mannerillustrated in Fig. 8. Accordingly, after a component is thus turnedabout a vertical axis until one of its leads abuts a side of the rail80, the spreader further acts on the other of its leads repeatedly tourge it outwardly and cause it to assume a spread position. Repetitiveoutward dilating or bending to overcome lead resilience is thus exertedsimultaneously on the corresponding leads of each of several componentsas they progress downwardly.

For oscillating the spreader 83 about a vertical axis, a forked arm 86(Fig. 1) thereof is connected by a link 88 to one end of a rod 90slidably mounted in the portion 64. The rod 90 is reciprocated by meansof pin and slot connection with an arm of a bell-crank lever 92pivotally supported on a pin 94 secured in the hopper portion 64,another arm of the bell-crank lever being actuated by a link 96 drivenfrom a lug 98 projecting from the gear 26.

In the Roske disclosure mentioned, means in the form of an intermittentair blast is used to return excess components from the mouth of theloaded receptacle to the hopper 12 to await another positioning by theplate 10. Components thus excessively tumbled may become unnecessarilyworn, and occasionally indicia printed on their bodies may becomeunreadable. Accordingly, as indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 1, meansis provided for automatically discontinuing the pick-off operation ofthe transfer wheel 24 as soon as the chute 48 is substantially full ofcomponents, a component in the chute then interrupting passage of alight beam through the slits 74 and consequently deenergizing a circuitconnected through a master switch 100 (Fig. 1) to a solenoid valve 102.

As a result, the latter is actuated to discontinue the reduced pressurein the line 44 until, depending on the rate of use of the components andassuming a normal delivery rate from the plate 10, the stack in thechute falls to a maximum level beneath the slits of about the combinedthickness of four or five component bodies.

Operation of the feeding mechanism will readily be understood from theforegoing description. A preliminary step normally required beforeactuating the switch 100to commence automatic feeding is the loading ofchute 48 with components preferably up to a point only a. few componentsthickness beneath the slits 74 thus insuring that components depositedby the nozzles 22 will not become wedged or skewed before assuminghorizontal stacked relation. Turning the nozzles 22, or other suitablework holders which may be substituted therefor, to the desired degreeduring transfer of the disk capacitors or other work pieces enables thesegregating mechanism to be more effective in causing leads to straddlethe guide rails which may be turned at different angles about a verticalaxis. The lead spreading action enhances uniformity in the relativepositions of the leads and incidentally serves a dithering function toinsure continuous flow of components by gravity in the chute.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Article feeding mechanism comprising means movable to segregatearticles from a random mass and position them successively at a transferpoint, a chute having a longitudinally extending rail adapted to guidearticles in stacked formation therein, and transfer means constructedand arranged for movement in time relation to said segregating means tocarry the successive articles from said point for deposit in said chute,said transfer means including at least one holder rotatable in a fixedpath and about its own axis to enable the articles when released tostraddle said rail.

2. Mechanism as set forth in claim 1 and further characterized in thatsaid transfer means is mounted on a hopper and mechanism mounted on saidhopper is disposed yieldingly to turn the holder axially a predeterminednumber of degrees after it has passed said transfer point and beforedepositing its articles.

3. In mechanism for feeding components having spaced leads, a guide railadapted to be straddled by the respective pairs of leads of a pluralityof components advancing longitudinally of the rail, 21 lead spreadingmember mounted in the rail and having an effective movement transverselythereof, and mechanism for operating said member to cause itslead-engaging surface to extend beyond at least one side of the rail andagainst the leads adjacent to said side whereby said pairs of leads areprovided with a substantially uniform minimal spread.

4. In mechanism for feeding components respectively having a pair ofleads projecting from their bodies, a rail adapted to be straddled bythe respective pairs of leads of a plurality of components while guidingthe components in row formation, a member dynamically associated withthe rail and having a lead-engaging surface arranged to be movedtransversely of the rail to deflect the end portions of the leads auniform extent from the end portions of the other leads of therespective pairs, and means for repeatedly operating the member toovercome resilience of the leads to such deflection, to cause the spreadof the lead end portions to be substantially equal.

5. Mechanism as set forth in claim 4 and further characterized in thatsaid member consists of a cylindrical spreader member mounted forrotation about an axis in a recess in said rail, said member having acylindrical lead engaging surface arranged to project from the rail todilate the pairs of leads and having a slabbed-ofi surface substantiallyparallel with said axis and disposed to avoid engagement with the leads.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,377,136 Lawrence et al. May 3, 1921 2,061,085 Price Nov. 17, 19362,214,814 Hambleton Sept. 17, 1940 2,323,174 Wikle June 29, 19432,424,917 Brannock July 29, 1947 2,609,779 Goldsworthy Sept. 9, 19522,718,314 Nelson et a1 Sept. 20, 1955 2,732,925 Pechy Jan. 31, 1956

